Abstract:

A method for managing dynamic program changes in a digital video
broadcasting (DVB) system, the method including detecting a dynamic
program change in a DVB transmission received at a set-top box (STB), and
changing a digital video recorder (DVR) recording instruction associated
with the program to record the program in accordance with a parameter of
the change.

Claims:

1-81. (canceled)

82. A method for managing dynamic program changes in a digital video
broadcasting (DVB) system, the method comprising:providing a program
descriptor indicating:the interruption of a program originally scheduled
to be broadcast on a channel; andat least one of:a start time of a
subsequent continuation of the program; anda new channel of the
subsequent continuation of the program;detecting the presence of the
program descriptor; andchanging a digital video recorder (DVR) recording
instruction associated with the program to record the program in
accordance with a parameter of the program descriptor.

83. The method according to claim 82, wherein the providing step comprises
configuring the program descriptor to indicate the subsequent
continuation of the program beyond its originally scheduled duration on
the channel on which the program was originally scheduled to be
broadcast, and the broadcast of the subsequent continuation on the new
channel.

84. The method according to claim 82, wherein the providing step comprises
configuring the program descriptor to indicate the continuation of the
program on the channel on which the program was originally scheduled to
be broadcast.

85. A system for managing dynamic program changes in a digital video
broadcasting (DVB) system, the system comprising:a digital video recorder
(DVR) operative to record a program in accordance with a recording
instruction associated with the program; anda set-top box (STB) operative
to:detect the presence of a program descriptor indicating: the
interruption of the program originally scheduled to be broadcast on a
channel; and at least one of: a start time of a subsequent continuation
of the program; and a new channel of the subsequent continuation of the
program; andchange the recording instruction to record the program in
accordance with a parameter of the program descriptor.

86. The system according to claim 85, wherein the program descriptor
indicates the continuation of the program beyond its originally scheduled
duration on the channel on which the program was originally scheduled to
be broadcast, and the broadcast of the subsequent continuation on the new
channel.

87. The system according to claim 85, wherein the program descriptor
indicates the continuation of the program on a channel on which the
program was originally scheduled to be broadcast.

88. A system for managing dynamic program changes in a digital video
broadcasting (DVB) system, the system comprising:means for recording a
program in accordance with a recording instruction associated with the
program;means for detecting the presence of a program descriptor
indicating: the interruption of the program originally scheduled to be
broadcast on a channel; and at least one of: a start time of a subsequent
continuation of the program; and a new channel of the subsequent
continuation of the program; andmeans for changing the recording
instruction to record the program in accordance with a parameter of the
program descriptor.

89. A method for managing dynamic program changes in a digital video
broadcasting (DVB) system, the method comprising:receiving a program
schedule;checking if a program with which a digital video recorder (DVR)
recording instruction is associated is no longer in the program
schedule;if the program is no longer in the program schedule, checking if
the program schedule includes a program displacement descriptor (PDD)
associated with the program's channel and time slot as indicated by the
recording instruction; andadjusting the recording instruction in
accordance with the any broadcast parameter associated with the PDD for
the program.

90. A method for managing dynamic program changes in a digital video
broadcasting (DVB) system, the method comprising:receiving a program
schedule;checking if a program with which a digital video recorder (DVR)
recording instruction is associated is no longer in the program
schedule;if the program is no longer in the program schedule, canceling
the recording instruction; andchecking if the program schedule includes a
program displacement descriptor (PDD) associated with the program's
channel and time slot as indicated by the recording instruction, and
wherein the canceling step comprises canceling where no associated PDD is
found.

91. A method for managing dynamic program changes in a digital video
broadcasting (DVB) system, the method comprising:receiving Present &
Following Program Information associated with a channel on which the
program is to be recorded in accordance with a recording
instruction;checking both the present program and the following program
indicated by the Present & Following Program Information to see if the
present program or following program has the same program identifier as
the program indicated by the recording instruction; andrecording the
program in accordance with a broadcast parameter indicated by the Present
& Following Program Information for the program where the broadcast
parameter differs from a corresponding recording parameter in the
recording instruction, indicating a program change.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates to television systems in general, and
more particularly to management of dynamic program changes in Digital
Video Broadcasting (DVB) systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]Digital Video Recorders (DVR) typically allow television viewers to
schedule the recording of television programs in advance of their
broadcast times. Electronic Program Guide (EPG) data containing several
day's worth of program scheduling information are typically provided to
the viewer's DVR. Given this information, the viewer may, via an
interface provided for this purpose, configure the DVR with instructions
to record a desired program that is to be broadcast on a specific channel
at a given start time and for a given duration. When the start time of
the program broadcast arrives, the DTV decoder automatically tunes to the
indicated channel and begins recording the program with its integrated
recording device or an external one for the indicated duration.

[0003]EPG data are typically broadcast at set intervals by the head-end or
on an as-needed basis as the EPG data change. In accordance with the
Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) system standard, EPG data are delivered
in the form of DVB service information (DVB-SI) standard Event
Information Tables (EIT). In other DVB-compatible systems, private EPG
data formats are used to deliver EPG data using MPEG and DVB-compatible
private data channels. Various methods may be used to notify DVRs of
updated EPG data, including:

[0004]Delivering updated EPG data subsequent to each change in a program
schedule

[0005]Periodically delivering updated EPG data

[0006]Delivering present and following program information for each
channel at the time of a program broadcast.

[0007]Once a DVR is configured to record a program, a schedule change made
just prior to or during the program's scheduled broadcast may result in
the wrong program being recorded. For example, if a program to be
recorded is cancelled or moved to another channel, the DVR will record
the wrong program. If the duration of the program is extended beyond its
originally scheduled duration, the end of the program will not be
recorded. Similarly, if the duration of the program is extended beyond
its originally scheduled duration, and the extended portion of the
program is broadcast on another channel, the end of the program will not
be recorded. An example that illustrates this is a tennis match of the
Paris Open Championship that starts on public channel F2 at 6 p.m. and is
scheduled to run until 8 p.m. Should the match run long, and a national
news program is scheduled to start on channel F2 at 8 p.m., the match
broadcast may switch to another public channel F3 at 8 p.m., leaving
those who programmed their DVR to record the match according to the
original schedule without a recording of the match finale. Another
example of a schedule change made just prior to a program's being
broadcast and that results in the wrong program being recorded is when a
program is unexpectedly stopped and later resumed on the same channel,
such as where a live sporting program is interrupted for a breaking news
report and then continues with a delayed broadcast in a later time slot.
Although current EIT p/f tables can be used to indicate changes in the
duration of the current program, they may not be used to convey
information related to a new time and broadcast location for a displaced
program.

[0009]In one aspect of the present invention a method is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the method including detecting a dynamic program change in a DVB
transmission received at a set-top box (STB), and changing a digital
video recorder (DVR) recording instruction associated with the program to
record the program in accordance with a parameter of the change.

[0010]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes displaying a message informing a viewer of the program change.

[0011]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes storing information relating to the program change.

[0012]In another aspect of the present invention a method is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the method including providing a program descriptor indicating a
dynamic program change in a DVB transmission, detecting the presence of
the program descriptor, and changing a digital video recorder (DVR)
recording instruction associated with the program to record the program
in accordance with a parameter of the program descriptor.

[0013]In another aspect of the present invention the providing step
includes configuring a DVB Service Information (DVB-SI) compliant Event
Information Table (EIT) with the program descriptor.

[0014]In another aspect of the present invention the providing step
includes configuring a private dynamic program signaling data set for
DVB-compliant systems with the program descriptor.

[0015]In another aspect of the present invention the providing step
includes providing the program descriptor within an program loop of the
program associated with the dynamic program change.

[0016]In another aspect of the present invention the providing step
includes configuring the program descriptor to indicate the move of the
program from a channel on which the program was originally scheduled to
be broadcast to another channel.

[0017]In another aspect of the present invention the providing step
includes configuring the program descriptor to indicate the extension of
a scheduled program beyond its originally scheduled duration on a channel
on which the program was originally scheduled to be broadcast, and the
broadcast of the extended portion on another channel.

[0018]In another aspect of the present invention the providing step
includes configuring the program descriptor to indicate the interruption
of a scheduled program and a subsequent continuation of the program.

[0019]In another aspect of the present invention the configuring step
includes configuring to indicate the continuation of the program on
either a channel on which the program was originally scheduled to be
broadcast or another channel.

[0020]In another aspect of the present invention the providing step
includes configuring the program descriptor to indicate a channel that is
different from a channel on which the program was originally scheduled to
be broadcast.

[0021]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes displaying a message informing a viewer of the program change.

[0022]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes storing information relating to the program change.

[0023]In another aspect of the present invention a method is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the method including receiving a program schedule, checking if a
program with which a digital video recorder (DVR) recording instruction
is associated is in the program schedule, if the program is in the
program schedule, checking if any broadcast parameter indicated for the
program in the program schedule differs from any corresponding broadcast
parameter indicated for the program in a previously-received program
schedule, and adjusting the recording instruction in accordance with the
differing broadcast parameter.

[0024]In another aspect of the present invention a method is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the method including receiving a program schedule, checking if a
program with which a digital video recorder (DVR) recording instruction
is associated is no longer in the program schedule, if the program is no
longer in the program schedule, checking if the program schedule includes
a program displacement descriptor (PDD) associated with the program's
channel and time slot as indicated by the recording instruction, and
adjusting the recording instruction in accordance with the any broadcast
parameter associated with the PDD for the program.

[0025]In another aspect of the present invention a method is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the method including receiving a program schedule, checking if a
program with which a digital video recorder (DVR) recording instruction
is associated is no longer in the program schedule, and if the program is
no longer in the program schedule, canceling the recording instruction.

[0026]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes checking if the program schedule includes a program displacement
descriptor (PDD) associated with the program's channel and time slot as
indicated by the recording instruction, and where the canceling step
includes canceling where no associated PDD is found.

[0027]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes displaying a message informing a viewer of the cancellation of
the recording instruction.

[0028]In another aspect of the present invention a method is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the method including receiving Present & Following Program
Information associated with a channel on which the program is to be
recorded in accordance with a recording instruction, checking if either
of the present program and the following program indicated by the Present
& Following Program Information has the same program identifier as the
program indicated by the recording instruction, and recording the program
in accordance with a broadcast parameter indicated by the Present &
Following Program Information for the program where the broadcast
parameter differs from a corresponding recording parameter in the
recording instruction, indicating a program change.

[0029]In another aspect of the present invention the receiving step is
performed at a predefined time prior to recording a program in accordance
with the recording instruction.

[0030]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes, if the present program identifier matches, recording the
program until an end time indicated by the Present & Following Program
Information for the program.

[0031]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes, if the following program identifier matches, recording the
program from a start time and until an end time indicated by the Present
& Following Program Information for the program.

[0032]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes, if neither of the program identifiers match, checking if either
of the present and following programs is associated with a program
displacement descriptor (PDD) identifying the program, and if such a PDD
is found, resetting any parameters of the recording instruction in
accordance with any corresponding parameters in the PDD.

[0033]In another aspect of the present invention the receiving step is
performed while recording a program in accordance with the recording
instruction.

[0034]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes if neither of the program identifiers matches, ceasing the
recording the program.

[0035]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes, if the present program identifier matches, updating a program
recording termination time of the recording instruction if the Present &
Following Program Information indicates a termination time for the
program that differs from the program recording termination time.

[0036]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes, if the present program identifier matches and the present
program is associated with a program_continuation_descriptor (PCD)
indicating that the program is to be continued on the program's current
channel after an interruption, setting a new recording instruction in
accordance with the information provided by the PCD.

[0037]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes, if the present program identifier matches and the present
program is associated with a program_continuation_descriptor (PCD)
indicating that the program is to be continued on a different channel
than the program's current channel after an interruption, setting a new
recording instruction in accordance with the information provided by the
PCD.

[0038]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes displaying a message informing a viewer of the program change.

[0039]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes storing information relating to the program change.

[0040]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes displaying a message informing a viewer of an effect of the
program change.

[0041]In another aspect of the present invention the displaying step
includes displaying the message to indicate that the end of the present
program will be truncated.

[0042]In another aspect of the present invention the displaying step
includes displaying the message to indicate that the beginning of the
following program will be skipped.

[0043]In another aspect of the present invention the displaying step
includes prises displaying the message to indicate that the following
program will be condensed.

[0044]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes inserting the message into a textual description of the program
in either of a program schedule and the Present & Following Program
Information.

[0045]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes inserting the message into a program_message descriptor (PMD)
within the Present & Following Program Information associated with the
program.

[0046]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes indicating the program change within the PMD.

[0047]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes recording either of the present and following programs in
accordance with information contained in the PMD.

[0048]In another aspect of the present invention the method further
includes subsequently recording the program in its entirety during a
rebroadcast indicated by the PMD.

[0049]In another aspect of the present invention a system is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the system including a digital video recorder (DVR) configured to
record a program in accordance with a recording instruction associated
with the program, and a set-top box (STB) configured to detect a dynamic
program change in a DVB transmission and change the recording instruction
to record the program in accordance with a parameter of the change.

[0050]In another aspect of the present invention either of the DVR and the
STB is configured to display a message informing a viewer of the program
change.

[0051]In another aspect of the present invention either of the DVR and the
STB is configured to store information relating to the program change.

[0052]In another aspect of the present invention a system is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the system including a digital video recorder (DVR) configured to
record a program in accordance with a recording instruction associated
with the program, and a set-top box (STB) configured to detect the
presence of a program descriptor indicating a dynamic program change in a
DVB transmission and change the recording instruction to record the
program in accordance with a parameter of the program descriptor.

[0053]In another aspect of the present invention the program descriptor is
provided together with a DVB Service Information (DVB-SI) compliant Event
Information Table (EIT).

[0054]In another aspect of the present invention the program descriptor is
provided together with a private dynamic program signaling data set for
DVB-compliant systems.

[0055]In another aspect of the present invention the program descriptor is
provided within an program loop of the program associated with the
dynamic program change.

[0056]In another aspect of the present invention the program descriptor
indicates the move of the program from a channel on which the program was
originally scheduled to be broadcast to another channel.

[0057]In another aspect of the present invention the program descriptor
indicates the extension of a scheduled program beyond its originally
scheduled duration on a channel on which the program was originally
scheduled to be broadcast, and the broadcast of the extended portion on
another channel.

[0058]In another aspect of the present invention the program descriptor
indicates the interruption of a scheduled program and a subsequent
continuation of the program.

[0059]In another aspect of the present invention the program descriptor
indicates the continuation of the program on either a channel on which
the program was originally scheduled to be broadcast or another channel.

[0060]In another aspect of the present invention the program descriptor
indicates a channel that is different from a channel on which the program
was originally scheduled to be broadcast.

[0061]In another aspect of the present invention the system further
includes a head end operative to configure the program descriptor.

[0062]In another aspect of the present invention either of the STB and the
DVR is configured to display a message informing a viewer of the program
change.

[0063]In another aspect of the present invention either of the STB and the
DVR is configured to store information relating to the program change.

[0064]In another aspect of the present invention a system is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the system including a digital video recorder (DVR) configured to
record a program in accordance with a recording instruction associated
with the program, and a set-top box (STB) configured to receive a program
schedule, check if a program with which the recording instruction is
associated is in the program schedule, if the program is in the program
schedule, check if any broadcast parameter indicated for the program in
the program schedule differs from any corresponding broadcast parameter
indicated for the program in a previously-received program schedule, and
adjust the recording instruction in accordance with the differing
broadcast parameter.

[0065]In another aspect of the present invention a system is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the system including a digital video recorder (DVR) configured to
record a program in accordance with a recording instruction associated
with the program, and a set-top box (STB) configured to receive a program
schedule, check if a program with which the recording instruction is
associated is no longer in the program schedule, if the program is no
longer in the program schedule, check if the program schedule includes a
program displacement descriptor (PDD) associated with the program's
channel and time slot as indicated by the recording instruction, and
adjust the recording instruction in accordance with the any broadcast
parameter associated with the PDD for the program.

[0066]In another aspect of the present invention a system is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the system including a digital video recorder (DVR) configured to
record a program in accordance with a recording instruction associated
with the program, and a set-top box (STB) configured to receive a program
schedule, check if a program with which the recording instruction is
associated is no longer in the program schedule, and if the program is no
longer in the program schedule, cancel the recording instruction.

[0067]In another aspect of the present invention the STB is configured to
check if the program schedule includes a program displacement descriptor
(PDD) associated with the program's channel and time slot as indicated by
the recording instruction, and cancel the recording instruction where no
associated PDD is found.

[0068]In another aspect of the present invention either of the STB and the
DVR is configured to display a message informing a viewer of the
cancellation of the recording instruction.

[0069]In another aspect of the present invention a system is provided for
managing dynamic program changes in a digital video broadcasting (DVB)
system, the system including a digital video recorder (DVR) configured to
record a program in accordance with a recording instruction associated
with the program, and a set-top box (STB) configured to receive Present &
Following Program Information associated with a channel on which the
program is to be recorded in accordance with a recording instruction,
check if either of the present program and the following program
indicated by the Present & Following Program Information has the same
program identifier as the program indicated by the recording instruction,
and cause the DVR to record the program in accordance with a broadcast
parameter indicated by the Present & Following Program Information for
the program where the broadcast parameter differs from a corresponding
recording parameter in the recording instruction, indicating a program
change.

[0070]In another aspect of the present invention the STB performs as
configured at a predefined time prior to the recording of the program in
accordance with the recording instruction.

[0071]In another aspect of the present invention the STB is operative, if
the present program identifier matches, to record the program until an
end time indicated by the Present & Following Program Information for the
program.

[0072]In another aspect of the present invention the STB is operative, if
the following program identifier matches, to record the program from a
start time and until an end time indicated by the Present & Following
Program Information for the program.

[0073]In another aspect of the present invention the STB is operative, if
neither of the program identifiers match, to check if either of the
present and following programs is associated with a program displacement
descriptor (PDD) identifying the program, and if such a PDD is found,
reset any parameters of the recording instruction in accordance with any
corresponding parameters in the PDD.

[0074]In another aspect of the present invention the STB is configured to
receive the Present & Following Program Information while recording a
program in accordance with the recording instruction.

[0075]In another aspect of the present invention the STB is operative to
cause the DVR to cease the recording the program if neither of the
program identifiers matches.

[0076]In another aspect of the present invention the STB is operative, if
the present program identifier matches, to update a program recording
termination time of the recording instruction if the Present & Following
Program Information indicates a termination time for the program that
differs from the program recording termination time.

[0077]In another aspect of the present invention the STB is operative, if
the present program identifier matches and the present program is
associated with a program_continuation_descriptor (PCD) indicating that
the program is to be continued on the program's current channel after an
interruption, to set a new recording instruction in accordance with the
information provided by the PCD.

[0078]In another aspect of the present invention the STB is operative, if
the present program identifier matches and the present program is
associated with a program_continuation_descriptor (PCD) indicating that
the program is to be continued on a different channel than the program's
current channel after an interruption, to set a new recording instruction
in accordance with the information provided by the PCD.

[0079]In another aspect of the present invention either of the STB and the
DVR is configured to display a message informing a viewer of the program
change.

[0080]In another aspect of the present invention either of the STB and the
DVR is configured to store information relating to the program change.

[0081]In another aspect of the present invention either of the STB and the
DVR is configured to display a message informing a viewer of an effect of
the program change.

[0082]In another aspect of the present invention the message indicates
that the end of the present program will be truncated.

[0083]In another aspect of the present invention the message indicates
that the beginning of the following program will be skipped.

[0084]In another aspect of the present invention the message indicates
that the following program will be condensed.

[0085]In another aspect of the present invention the system further
includes a message inserted into a textual description of the program in
either of a program schedule and the Present & Following Program
Information.

[0086]In another aspect of the present invention the system further
includes a message inserted into a program_message descriptor (PMD)
within the Present & Following Program Information associated with the
program.

[0087]In another aspect of the present invention the PMD indicates the
program change.

[0088]In another aspect of the present invention STB is operative to cause
the DVR to record either of the present and following programs in
accordance with information contained in the PMD.

[0089]In another aspect of the present invention STB is operative to cause
the DVR to subsequently record the program in its entirety during a
rebroadcast indicated by the PMD.

[0090]It is appreciated throughout the specification and claims that the
term "program" refers to a DVB-SI specified event or equivalent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091]The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully
from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
drawings in which:

[0092]FIG. 1A is a simplified conceptual illustration of a system for
managing dynamic program changes in Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)
systems, configured to manage dynamic program changes, constructed and
operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;

[0093]FIG. 1B is a simplified flowchart illustration of an exemplary
method of operation of the system of FIG. 1A, operative in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0094]FIG. 2A is a simplified conceptual illustration of a system for
managing dynamic program changes in Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)
systems, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention; and

[0095]FIG. 2B is a simplified flowchart illustration of an exemplary
method of operation of the system of FIG. 2A, operative in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0096]Reference is now made to FIG. 1A, which is a simplified conceptual
illustration of a system for managing dynamic program changes in Digital
Video Broadcasting (DVB) systems, constructed and operative in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and additionally to
FIG. 1B, which is a simplified flowchart illustration of an exemplary
method of operation of the system of FIG. 1A, operative in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1A and 1B,
a Program Schedule 100, being an EPG or equivalent private programming
guide for DVB-compliant systems, and such as may be conveyed via DVB
Service Information (DVB-SI) compliant Event Information Tables (EIT), is
configured to provide information regarding a program A, including the
channel on which program A is to be broadcast, the scheduled start date
and time of program A's broadcast, and program A's scheduled duration.
Program Schedule 100 is then transmitted to an DVR 102, such as by a
broadcaster from a head end 104 via a transport stream 110, in accordance
with conventional techniques. Program Schedule 100 is then provided by
DVR 102 to a viewer who may then, in advance of the broadcast of program
A and in accordance with conventional techniques, instruct DVR 102 to
record program A. DVR 102 then stores the instruction for future
implementation.

[0097]If, prior to its scheduled broadcast, the broadcaster wishes to move
program A to another channel, Present & Following Program Information
108, being an EIT p/f or equivalent private dynamic program signalling
data set for DVB-compliant systems, is preferably configured to include a
program_displacement_descriptor (PDD) in the relevant program loop for
program A on the originally-scheduled channel. The PDD is preferably
configured to indicate the new channel, program identifier, start time,
and duration. The same modifications are also preferably made to Program
Schedule 100.

[0098]In the broadcaster cancels program A, the information about program
A is preferably removed from Program Schedule 100 and Present & Following
Program Information 108 the broadcast. Where private or other non-DVB but
DVB-compliant EPG data formats are used, the same information indicated
by the PDD described above is preferably inserted into the EPG data that
are equivalent to that which is found in Program Schedule 100 and Present
& Following Program Information 108. Program Schedule 100 and Present &
Following Program Information 108 are then transmitted to DVR 102, which
adjusts any scheduled recordings according to relevant changes in the EPG
data. Recordings scheduled for programs that are no longer found in the
to-be-recorded time slot are preferably cancelled.

[0099]Each time DVR 102 receives a Program Schedule 100, the following
operations may be performed by DVR 102 for each recording instruction:
[0100]Check if the program to which the recording instruction relates is
in Program Schedule 100. If the program is in the new Program Schedule
100, check if its broadcast parameters have been modified as compared
with the previously-received Program Schedule 100. If they have been
modified, DVR 102 preferably adjusts the recording instruction according
to the new broadcast information. [0101]If the program is no longer in
the new Program Schedule 100, and if a PDD is found on the program's
original channel in the same time slot, as indicated by the recording
instruction, indicating that a program displacement is indicated for the
program, DVR 102 preferably uses the PDD to find the new broadcast
parameters of the displaced program in the new Program Schedule 100 and
adjusts the recording instruction for the program accordingly. [0102]If
the program is no longer in the new Program Schedule 100 and if no
relevant PDD is found, the program is preferably cancelled from the list
of programs to be recorded. A message may be displayed informing the
viewer of the cancellation of the recording instruction.

[0103]When a program recording instruction is to be modified, if the
modification would place the program recording instruction in conflict
with other existing program instructions or otherwise present a conflict
regarding the use of DVR resources with respect to other applications, an
appropriate resolution mechanism, automatic or one requiring user/viewer
input, may be used to resolve the conflict.

[0104]At a predefined time prior to recording a program, such as a few
minutes prior to recording a program, the following operations are
preferably performed by DVR 102 for each recording instruction:
[0105]Tune to TS 110 carrying the program to be recorded. [0106]Capture
the Present & Following Program Information associated with the channel
on which the program is to be recorded. [0107]Check if the present
Program as per the Present & Following Program Information has the same
program identifier as the desired program. If so, recording is preferably
commenced, with the recording end time set to the end time indicated by
the Present & Following Program Information. [0108]If the present program
as per the Present & Following Program Information does not have the same
program identifier as the desired program, compare the desired program
identifier with the following program in the Present & Following Program
Information. If the desired program identifier and the following program
identifier are the same, reset the recording start time and duration
according to this information. [0109]If neither the present program nor
the following program as per Present & Following Program Information has
the same program identifier as the desired program, check if the present
program or the following program is associated with a PDD which
identifies the desired program. If such a PDD is found, reset the
recoding parameters according to the information provided by the PDD
(e.g., to the service identified by the ON_ID, TS_ID and service_ID,
program identifier of the new program, start_time, duration, etc.)
[0110]If neither the present program nor the following program as per the
Present & Following Program Information has the same program identifier
as the desired program, nor is the present program or the following
program associated with a PDD which identifies the desired program,
repeat any of the above steps for a predefined period of time. If no
information as mentioned above is available, DVR 102 may cancel the
current recording instruction.

[0111]Reference is now made to FIG. 2A, which is a simplified conceptual
illustration of a system for managing dynamic program changes in Digital
Video Broadcasting (DVB) systems, constructed and operative in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and additionally to
FIG. 2B, which is a simplified flowchart illustration of an exemplary
method of operation of the system of FIG. 2A, operative in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system and
method of FIGS. 2A and 2B are substantially similar to those of FIGS. 1A
and 1B, with the notable exception that instead of program A being
cancelled or moved in its entirety to another channel, in FIGS. 2A and 2B
program A is broadcast at its originally scheduled start time on its
originally scheduled channel, and is then either extended, with the
extended portion being broadcast on either the same channel or a
different channel, or interrupted and then continued on the either the
same channel or on a different channel.

[0112]If, during its scheduled broadcast, the broadcaster wishes to extend
program A or interrupt program A and then continue its broadcast, Present
& Following Program Information 108 is preferably configured to include a
program_continuation_descriptor (PCD) in the relevant program loop for
program A. If program A is to be extended on the same channel without
interruption, the duration value associated with the program is
preferably updated accordingly. If program A is to be interrupted and
continued on the same channel, the PCD is preferably configured to
indicate program A's new end time and/or duration, as well as the start
time, associated program identifier, and end time and/or duration of
program A's continuation segment. If program A is to be interrupted and
continued on a different channel, the PCD is preferably configured to
indicate program A's new end time and/or duration, as well as the
channel, start time, program identifier, and end time and/or duration of
program A's continuation segment.

[0113]The following operations are preferably repeatedly performed by DVR
102 while recording a program in accordance with a recording instruction:
[0114]Capture the Present & Following Program Information associated
with the channel on which the program is currently being recorded.
[0115]Check if the present program as per Present & Following Program
Information has the same program identifier as the currently recorded
program. If not, cease recording. [0116]If the present program as per the
Present & Following Program Information has the same program identifier
as the currently recorded program, check the duration associated with
this program. If a change is detected, update the termination time of the
current recording accordingly. [0117]If the present program as per the
Present & Following Program Information has the same program identifier
as the currently recorded program, if the present program is associated
with a PCD indicating that the program is to be continued on the same
channel after an interruption, set a new recording instruction according
to the continuation information provided by the descriptor (e.g., program
identifier, start_time, duration, etc.). [0118]If the present program as
per the Present & Following Program Information has the same program
identifier as the currently recorded program, if the present program is
associated with a PCD indicating that the program is to be continued on
another channel, set a new recording instruction according to the
continuation information provided by the descriptor (e.g., to the service
identified by the ON_ID, TS_ID and service_ID, program identifier,
start_time, duration, etc.)

[0119]It is appreciated that DVR 102 may display a message regarding any
of the program changes or other actions described herein. For example, if
a sports program overruns its allotted time, DVR 102 may display a
message indicating that the overrun is occurring. DVR 102 may also
display a message indicating the effect of the overrun, such as whether
the end of the sports program will be cut out despite the overrun,
whether the beginning of the next scheduled program will be skipped, or
whether the next scheduled program will be truncated or condensed as a
result, allowing the viewer to decide whether to stay with the channel or
change to another channel. The related information is preferably
associated with the affected program by updating the textual description
of the program in Program Schedule 100 and/or Present & Following Program
Information 108. Alternatively, Present & Following Program Information
108 may be configured to include a program_message_descriptor (PMD) in
the relevant program loop for the affected program, with the PMD
informing the type of change. Where a PMD is used, DVR 102 may also use
the PMD in the control of a recording. For example, DVR 102 may use the
PMD to decide, either automatically or after prompting the viewer, if it
should continue to record the current program, the following program, or
both, and what to do regarding any overruns and truncations. DVR 102 may
also record information relating to the program change itself, enabling
DVR 102 to inform viewers of the reason for the difference between the
program as recorded and as it was originally meant to be recorded. If the
EPG data includes information indicating that the program will be
repeated, such as on a different channel and/or on a different time slot,
DVR 102 may use this information to record a complete version of the
program when it is repeated, instead of a truncated or condensed one.

[0120]It is appreciated that various features of the invention which are,
for clarity, described in the contexts of separate embodiments may also
be provided in combination in a single embodiment Conversely, various
features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the
context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any
suitable subcombination.

[0121]It is appreciated that one or more of the steps of any of the
methods described herein may be omitted or carried out in a different
order than that shown, without departing from the true spirit and scope
of the invention.

[0122]While the methods and apparatus disclosed herein may or may not have
been described with reference to specific computer hardware or software,
it is appreciated that the methods and apparatus described herein may be
readily implemented in computer hardware or software using conventional
techniques.

[0123]While the present invention has been described with reference to one
or more specific embodiments, the description is intended to be
illustrative of the invention as a whole and is not to be construed as
limiting the invention to the embodiments shown. It is appreciated that
various modifications may occur to those skilled in the art that, while
not specifically shown herein, are nevertheless within the true spirit
and scope of the invention.